One of the most common questions we get from home heating customers is: 'How long will my tank last?' It's a reasonable thing to want to know, especially heading into winter when you don't want to run out in the middle of a cold week.
The honest answer is that it depends on a few key factors. Here's how to work it out for your home.
Key Factors That Affect Heating Diesel Usage
Your Home's Size and Insulation
A well-insulated modern home will use significantly less diesel than an older, draughty house of the same size. Ceiling and underfloor insulation, double glazing, and draught sealing all make a real difference to your fuel bill.
Your Heating System Type
A modern, high-efficiency diesel boiler or central heating system uses fuel much more economically than an older unit. If your system is more than 10–15 years old, it may be worth having it serviced, or even considering an upgrade.
Where You Live
A home in Invercargill or Central Otago will go through significantly more heating diesel in winter than a home in Nelson. The colder and longer your local winter, the more fuel you'll need.
How Warm You Keep Your Home
This one is obvious, but it's worth saying: the higher your thermostat, the more diesel you burn. Most heating specialists recommend a daytime temperature of around 18 – 20°C for comfortable living, with setbacks overnight or when the house is empty.
A Simple Way to Estimate Your Usage
If you've had deliveries before, the best data is your own history. Add up your total deliveries over the last winter and divide by the number of months you were heating, that gives you a rough monthly usage figure. If you're new to diesel heating or in a new home, a reasonable starting estimate for a medium-sized South Island home is around 150 – 300 litres per month during peak winter months. Your first season will give you much better data to plan future years.
Running Low? Call Us Early
If your tank is heading toward 25% or below, don't wait. Give us a call and we'll get a delivery scheduled. We'd much rather get to you before you run out than deal with an emergency callout in the middle of a cold snap.
Call RD Petroleum on 0800 44 00 14 or visit rdp.co.nz to book your home heating diesel delivery today.
